‘The Voice’ Contestant Dylan Carter Dead at 24 as Hometown Mourns Loss

The Voice is mourning one of their own after news broke that former contestant Dylan Carter has died at just 24 years old.

On Sunday, April 26, NBC affiliate WCBD News 2 reported that Carter died in Colleton County, South Carolina, on Saturday, April 25. The mayor of Monck’s Corner – where Carter was from – later revealed he had passed away in a car accident.

“Our family is heartbroken to hear about the passing of Dylan Carter in a car accident. As a gifted singer, he frequently entertained our community with his performances at Town events,” Mayor Thomas Hamilton Jr. wrote via Facebook on April 26. “His kindness and charm earned him immense respect, and his absence will be deeply felt. To the loved ones and acquaintances of Dylan, we offer our sincerest condolences during this difficult period.”

Hamilton concluded by saying that “entire staff extend their deepest sympathies” and described Carter as much more “than an entertainer” to the town and said “he was our friend.”

Carter became one of few contestants on The Voice whose blind audition earned him a four-chair-turnaround during season 24. Judges Reba McEntire, Niall Horan, John Legend and Gwen Stefani all reacted to his rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Will Always Love You.”

He later explained the song was special to him because he sang it in honor of his mother who had died the year prior. Carter said that when he attempted to sing the song at his mom’s funeral, he became too emotional and couldn’t finish.

The South Carolina native ultimately chose McEntire as his coach and he lasted several weeks during his season. After leaving The Voice, Carter cofounded The Local Voice, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women with breast cancer.